Low-cost, mobile EEG hardware for SSVEP applications

The global shortage of integrated circuits due to the COVID-19 pandemic has made it challenging to build biopotential acquisition devices like electroencephalography (EEG) hardware. To address this issue, a new hardware system using common ICs has been designed, which is cost-effective, precise, and easily accessible from global distributors. The hardware system comprises 8-channel inputs EEG hardware with a mobile headset capable of acquiring 5-30Hz EEG signals. First two channels of the design is enabled for steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) operations, and the remaining channels can be powered up as needed. A small 3D-printable enclosure is also designed for the hardware board, which is attached to protective glasses to be used as a head-mounted device. The board includes an additional green LED, 4 pulse width modulation (PWM) outputs for general-purpose input/output (GPIO), 2 buttons for input, and exposed programming pins and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) output from the microcontroller unit (MCU). The proposed hardware system is expected to enable students and young researchers to experiment with EEG signals, especially SSVEP, before investing in professional equipment with the availability of programming codes.